Gerald J. "Jerry" Oravitz has served in the University of Delaware athletics program since 1997, including the past 13 years as director of football operations for the nationally-ranked Blue Hens program.

In December, 2013, he was promoted to the position of associate director of athletics for football administration. Oravitz assists UD Director of Athletics Eric Ziady with fundraising, special projects, and football scheduling, and serves on UD's sports administrative team.

In addition to his duties as director of football operations on head coach Dave Brock's staff, Oravitz also serves as an adjunct instructor in UD's Sports Management program (since 2002).

During his 19 years at UD, Oravitz has advanced from a graduate intern to athletics operations associate, and to his current position. Oravitz also served as special assistant to the athletics director from 2007-2009 under former Athletic Director Edgar Johnson.He was named director of football operations in January, 2004 by then head coach K.C. Keeler.

Oravitz, a 1984 graduate of Salisbury (Md.) University, is responsible for directing the day-to-day administrative functions of the football program which includes budget management, fundraising, staff supervision, strategic facility planning, contract negotiations, coordinating on-campus recruiting, alumni affairs, managing student-athlete welfare, and organizing community relations for the team.

Oravitz also collaborates with University departments to implement University program services for student-athletes and coaches.

Oravitz earned his master's degree in human services administration from Springfield (Mass.) College in 1998, and earned his bachelor's degree in physical education, recreation, and leasure services from Salisbury (Md.) University in 1984.

He also completed NACDA's Sports Management Executive Program sponsored by the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas in January, 2004.

He served a graduate internship with the University of Delaware athletics department during the Spring of 1997. Oravitz was then named by UD as athletics operations associate in 1997 where he served then 23-sport programs and head coaches, handling practice needs, game day needs, team travel, facilities operations, and football operations.

While at UD, Oravitz has served as tournament director for the America East baseball, indoor track & field, men's lacrosse, and women's lacrosse championships hosted by the University of Delaware. He also served as the tournament director for the 2003 NCAA Division I-AA football committee as well as other post-season championship events.

Additionally, Oravitz has served as a board member for the American Football Coaches Association Director of Football Operations committee. He also directs UD's Bone Marrow Drive each spring and currently directs UD's CAA Blood Challenge, which Delaware claimed four straight years (2011-14) for having the most donations from the community from among all CAA institutions.

A former first team All-State baseball and All-Catholic League basketball player at nearby St. Elizabeth's High School in Wilmington, Del., Oravitz was also a four-year starter in baseball at Virginia Wesleyan College and Salisbury University. He was named co-captain at Virginia Wesleyan in 1983.

Prior to joining UD, Oravitz was named the first director of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark from 1993-97. He also served as director of the William Hicks Anderson Community Center for the City of Wilmington Parks & Recreation Department from 2000-2003.

Oravitz remains active in the community, serving as a board of director for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Newark. In 2006, Oravitz assisted with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware Annual Fund which exceeded the goal of $750,000 by raising over $762,000.

Oravitz and his wife Teresa, a graduate of Elizabethtown College (Pa.), reside in Bear, Del.